Carol Van Klompenburg and Sarah Purdy display memoirs that have been published by the Write Place. They will co-lead a “Write Your Memories” class that begins November 16.
Pella-area residents can learn how to write about their lives in a six-session course, “Write Your Memories,” which begins November 16 in the Meeting Room of the Pella Public Library at 603 Main Street. The class begins at 10 a.m. and ends at noon. The class will meet three times in November, then take a writing recess and resume again with three sessions in the spring.
Teachers for the class are Carol Van Klompenburg and Sarah Purdy, both members of the Write Place team. Van Klompenburg has written a variety of nonfiction books and taught college writing classes. She is the retired owner of the Write Place. Purdy is the manager of the Write Place book division and also works as a writer and editor for the business.
“Sarah and I bring differing expertise and viewpoints to the course.” said Van Klompenburg. “I will teach the writing process, and as Write Place book division manager, Sarah will teach how to get writing into print.”
“I always enjoy working with writers on memoirs,” said Purdy. “Some are very short. We have published memoirs that are fewer than 50 pages. Others are much longer, and many include pictures or even a family tree. But no matter what, memoirs are always a joy to read because everyone has interesting stories to tell about their lives.”
Van Klompenburg plans to cover information on how to get started and how to organize and edit material, along with prompts to help class members remember and write. She said, “For senior citizens I will be able to provide advice from a peer, and Sarah will be able to provide the questions that grandchildren want to know. The course will also provide in-class writing time and a chance to share writing with class members.”
“Write Your Memories” is co-sponsored by Crossroads of Pella and the Write Place. It is one of several courses that Crossroads, a local non-profit that has served the Pella community for thirty years, plans to offer to area senior citizens. Although geared for seniors, the course is open to people of all ages. All classes will meet from 10 a.m. until noon at the Pella Public Library. Dates for the meetings are November 16, November 23, November 30, March 22, March 29, and April 5. To register for the course, call Crossroads of Pella at 641-628-1212 or email crossroadspella@windstream.net. Class size is limited to 20 people, and the deadline for registration is November 7.